Jail For Burglars Who Rammed A Police Car

Following a car chase after break-ins in Wandsworth and Wimbledon

Jailed: Laverty, McIlroy and McAuliffe

Three burglars, who smashed into a police car in a bid to escape, have received prison sentences.

The trio appeared at Kingston Crown Court last Friday (17 August). Daniel David Laverty, 28 of Maskelyne Close, Wandsworth was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and no insurance. 32-year-old Luke Richie McIlroy, of no fixed abode was sentenced to two years and one month’s imprisonment. He had previously pleaded guilty to burglary, shoplifting and aggravated vehicle taking (as a passenger). And Jonathon McAuliffe, 25, of Cairns Place, Streatham was sentenced to two years and one month’s imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking (as a passenger).

The court heard that at on Wednesday, 31 January, at approximately 5am, the three men broke into a house on Westbridge Road in Battersea. As the occupants slept, the men took handbags, clothing, laptops and car keys before stealing the victims’ Range Rover from their driveway.

Later that day, at around 8am, McIlroy stole four cans of lager and a bottle of vodka from a newsagents on Wimbledon Road. He made off in a green Range Rover, along with Laverty and McAuliffe who had been waiting in the car. The shop keeper called the police with the vehicle’s registration.

Officers who were nearby on Parkside Avenue spotted the car and pursued the trio as they drove at speed on the wrong side of the road, mounting the pavement into Wimbledon Common in a bid to escape. When the car was stopped by traffic at the traffic lights, it was reversed and rammed into the police vehicle injuring both officers.

One of the officers was taken to a south London hospital by the London Ambulance Service; both suffered back injuries.

The men then drove away and were spotted by officers on Woodhayes Road. Officers pursued the Range Rover until eventually the men abandoned it near Hampton Close.

Officers and a police dog chased the men on foot, catching and arresting McAuliffe and McIlroy. Laverty was later identified as the driver of the vehicle and charged.

PC Mat Sullivan, from CID based at the South West Command Unit, said, “The three burglars broke into a home and stole the victims’ car. When seen by police, they drove off at speed putting officers and nearby road users at risk as they tried to make good their escape.

“These sentences will be a clear message to those who commit burglary in London.”